AFFAIRS ON THE WEST COAST.

21

A.—No. 13.

There is a small section of the Taranaki Natives who have commenced talking about the confiscated land at Okato, the same as Tamati Teito did a short time ago at Mataitawa, but there have been no threats held out as yet. I have arranged to meet them at Te Taihua, near Warea, on Monday next. I shall have to be there a night or two, but I hope to get back in time to report by the mail on the 4th instant the result of the meeting. Considerable pressure is being brought upon His Honor the Superintendent, to induce him to send an armed party to the Okato District, but I have recommended him not to do so, until I have had an interview with the Taranaki Natives. The Taranaki Herald, which, I believe, is forwarded regularly to your office, contains a fair representation of the state of the district, which I have not time by this mail to write more fully upon. I have, &c, R. Paeeis, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner. P.S. —The chief Nepetarima, Hapurona's uncle, has just come in from the Ngatimaru District, and I am happy to say reports favourably of Wiremu Kingi te Rangitake and the people of that district, a full report of which I will try to send by next mail. —R. P.

No. 33. Copy of a Letter from Mr. G. S. Coopee to Mr. R. Paeeis. (No. 409-2.) Sic,— Native Office, Wellington, sth December, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 28th ultimo, No. 314, reporting the excitement which has been caused in Taranaki by the news of the recent murders at Poverty Bay. In reply, I am directed by Colonel Haultain to inform you that in the event of any emergency, the Officer Commanding the District has been instructed to put the Militia on duty, if requested to do so by the Superintendent and yourself. I have, &c, G. S. Coopee, The Civil Commissioner, Taranaki. Under Secretary. No. 34. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to Mr. G. S. Coopee. (No. 321.) Sic, — New Plymouth, 4th December, 1868. In further reference to my report of yesterday of the Native meeting at Taihua, I have the honor to report that Patara came in yesterday afternoon from the Taihua for the purpose of putting a stop to the confusion caused, as he says, by the lying reports of Natives and Europeans with reference to their intentions towards the Okato settlers. It appears that they had heard that some of the settlers had left from fear, which I admitted to him, but explained that the fearful atrocities committed on the East Coast was the principal cause of it, followed up by their commencing to talk about the land. Patara said nothing about the land at the meeting on Tuesday, for which he informs me that Hairini complained of his not supporting him after we left; upon which he tells me he told him that he should give the matter up and support the settlers in occupation, and advised the rest to do the same. He has consented to come in and live either at Hauranga or Oakura, and use his influence on behalf of the Government to put down opposition. I have, &c, R. Paeeis, The Under Native Secretary, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 35. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to Mr. G. S. Coopee. (No. 331.) Sic,— New Plymouth, 14th December, 1868. I have the honor to report, for tho information of the Government, that from Hone Pihama and Natanahira, who were here last week, I obtained information of the casualties of the rebels in the engagement at Okotuku. The intelligence was obtained through the Keteonetea Natives, under Ahitana, who have up to last week refused to join Titokowaru. They only admit having lost one killed and five wounded, but it is satisfactory to know that the one who was killed was the murderer of poor Mr. Broughton. His name was Ruka te Waka. I have, &c, R. Paeeis, Tho Under Native Secretary, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 36. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to Mr. G. S. Coopee. (No. 332.) Sib,— New Plymouth, 14th December, 1868. I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a telegram received by His Honor the Superintendent from the Hon. Dr. Pollen last week, and to report that, up to the present time, nothing 6